We’ve heard from the ideologues, the book sellers and working authors. So where’s the book buyer’s voice in the book import discussion? Michael R. James weighs in.
Books
PIR decision: Australian writers need to be left the fuck alone, to write
The government’s decision to retain parallel import restrictions on books is a rotten one, most of all for Australian writers, writes author Jack Robertson.
Parallel imports: how the war was won
Tom Dusevic lauds the Australian publishing industry’s “spirited, clever, nationalistic, broad-based and expensive” lobbying campaign to retain parallel import restrictions on books.
Kerr: Rudd betrays his party roots for publishers
Kevin Rudd showed celebrity means more to him than education and ideas by supporting the publishing industry over cheaper books for consumers, says Christian Kerr. His ALP forebears would not be impressed.
Stutchbury: Rudd’s book backdown shows a lack of spine
Kevin Rudd’s inability to stand up to Australia’s lightweight publishing industry and a bunch of angry authors betrays his lack of policy backbone in supporting the free market, says Michael Stuchbury.
Behind the covers: secret curiosities of the New York Public Library
The NY Times dips inside the dusty bookshelves of the New York Public Library, from its most scandalous book to 40,000 restaurant menus and the one item its library curators would save if there was a fire.
Nam Le: Stuff Facebook, read a real book
Nam Le’s The Boat has scooped this years PM Literary Award for best fiction. In his witty acceptance speech, Le says that social media, TV and film can never engage a community like literature can.
Caucus debate misses the point, chapter and verse, on books
What’s happening with parallel book imports? The publishing industry is on the cusp of major change driven by online delivery. The most appropriate role for the government is to step aside and let consumers take the lead.
Nobel Prizes: the politics of language and literature
Who is Herta Müller, this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature? English-speaking audiences are baffled, because, surprise surprise, not of all the best literature is in English. Binoy Kampmark provides some answers.
Melbourne: a city of books or bogans?
Melbourne, the European capital of Australia, a recognised City of Literature, known for its coffee and elegance. Right? Wrong, says Tony Martin. Melbourne is a city of bogans, not books.
Alternative Lolita covers
What would you suggest for an alternative book cover of the classic Nabokov novel Lolita? These competition finalists show that abstract designs and subtle sexuality work better than obvious lollipop gags.
Book nerds rejoice! The holy temple of bookshops
Oh god, this bookshop in the Netherlands isn’t your standard Dan Brown piled high Borders. It’s a converted Dominican church that mixes walk in bookcases with giant cathedral columns. Hallelujah.
Once upon a time, books had pages and fonts
Are e-readers — like the Kindle — really the future of reading? For Nicholson Baker, words in “greenish, sickly… postmortem gray” on a screen just aren’t the same.
Parallel importation: devilish Dymocks detail
Dymocks have led the charge to abolish the parallel import restrictions. But would this really make their books cheaper? asks Michael James.
